Why Do My Testicles Hurt? Tips for Managing Testicular Pain

Published: 2025-09-30

Updated: 2025-09-30

4 mins

The testicles are one of the most sensitive parts of your body. Any slight pressure on the testicles from sitting uncomfortably for too long or accidentally hitting the area while playing a sport can lead to extreme discomfort. While not always the case, more intense pain may also spread to the abdomen. 

Also referred to as the testes, your testicles are two egg-shaped glands within the scrotum (a structure located behind the penis). Your testicles produce sperm and important male sex hormones like testosterone. 

Feeling pain “down there” doesn’t always mean that something is wrong. However, pain that lasts for more than a few minutes may be a sign of a mild injury. While most men can manage mild testicular pain at home, some causes of pain in the testes may require attention from a licensed healthcare professional.

What Causes Testicular Pain?

There’s not always a singular reason you feel discomfort near your scrotum. Most cases of testicular pain are connected to one specific source, but in some instances, a healthcare provider may have trouble determining the cause.

Testicular pain may stem from the following common causes:

• Chronic orchialgia (idiopathic testicular pain): A health condition characterized by persistent testicular pain with no known cause.

• Orchitis: An infection in the testicles, orchitis may lead to infection and swelling in the testicles.

• Testicular surgery: After testicular surgery, some men may experience pain near the testicles from surgery complications.

• Pelvic floor dysfunction: Tension in the pelvic floor muscles can restrict blood flow in the pelvis. A loss of blood flow and muscle tension can lead to testicular pain.

• Testicular torsion: A medical emergency where the spermatic cord supporting the testes twists, causing pain in the testes.

• Epididymitis: The epididymis is a long tube located near the testicles. Epididymitis (inflammation in the epididymis) can affect the transportation of sperm from the testicles.

• Varicocele: An enlarged vein in the scrotum.

• Hydrocele: Fluid builds up around the testicles.

• Spermatocele: A cyst in the epididymis containing dead sperm cells.

• Epididymal hypertension: Also referred to as “blue balls,” epididymal hypertension is when you have testicular pain from an erection that lasts too long without ejaculation.

In some cases, infections in the scrotum can spread and cause pain in other parts of the groin. You may also feel temporary pain in the testicles from sitting or lying in an uncomfortable position for too long. 

Why Do My Testicles Hurt After Ejaculation?

Testicular pain after ejaculation can occur for several reasons. Some are related to the testicles directly, while others may be connected to inflammation in other parts of the body near the testicles. If you only experience pain during sex, a healthcare provider may recommend STI testing.

You may experience pain in the testicles after you ejaculate because of the following:

• Blocked ejaculatory duct

• Urethral stricture

• STIs (sexually transmitted infections)

• Bladder infection

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia

How Long Does Testicular Pain Last?

Testicular pain can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Chronic testicular pain is generally pain that lasts longer than a couple of hours. 

Men with chronic testicular pain will need treatment from a licensed healthcare provider to resolve symptoms. Chronic testicular pain is often a sign of an underlying health condition that is more serious than a mild injury. Health conditions can range from diabetic complications to urinary tract infections.

Who’s Most Likely to Experience Testicular Pain?

The risk of experiencing testicular pain may increase if you have the following health conditions:

• Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy can lead to nerve pain, which can also potentially affect the testicles.

• Henoch-Schonlein purpura: While rare, Henoch-Schonlein purpura is an inflammatory condition that may lead to testicular pain.

• Testicular cancer: Pain in the testes is not the most common symptom of testicular cancer, but it can occur in some men.

• Urinary tract infections: If pain spreads to the epididymis during a UTI, you may feel pain near the testicles.

• Prostatitis: Pain in the penis and testicles is a common symptom of prostatitis. Prostatitis is inflammation in the prostate gland.

How is Testicular Pain Diagnosed?’

A healthcare provider may first ask you about your symptoms and whether it’s your first time experiencing testicular pain. From there, they will perform a physical exam to assess the sensitivity of your pain and observe any visible abnormalities.

They may perform the following tests to get a better understanding of the source of your pain:

• Blood tests

• Scrotal ultrasounds

• Urine tests

• CT scans

Tips for Managing Testicular Pain

Generally, health experts recommend resting when you can when you feel pain to prevent it from worsening.

What you wear can also affect any tightness or discomfort you feel near your groin. If you prefer to wear briefs, consider wearing boxers from time to time when you feel pain to put less pressure on the area. Overall, adjust your clothing accordingly to more breathable fabrics and looser bottoms if you’re feeling pain. 

At-home remedies for testicular pain

Short-term pain from injury to the testicles can easily be treated at home. In addition to adjusting your clothing, consider the following tips for managing pain relief at home:

• Sit in a warm bath for a few minutes

• Apply ice to the affected area

• Place a rolled towel underneath the scrotum

• Wear supportive clothing like an athletic cup when doing high-impact sports

• Always go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to pee

• Engage in pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles

Medications for testicular pain

The kind of medication a healthcare provider prescribes varies depending on the cause of your testicular pain. It’s important to see a healthcare provider before taking any medications if your pain lasts beyond a few hours. Taking the wrong medication may cause the pain to linger longer.

• OTC pain medications: For mild pain, a healthcare provider may recommend using OTC (over-the-counter) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil).

• Prescription antibiotics: If your pain is from a bacterial infection, a healthcare provider may prescribe a round of prescription antibiotics to fight harmful bacteria. 

• Tricyclic antidepressants: A healthcare provider may recommend antidepressants if nerve pain is the cause of your testicular pain.

For severe cases of testicular pain, a healthcare provider may recommend surgery. For example, surgery is typically used to treat testicular torsion or a hernia. 

If you’ve had a vasectomy and experience chronic testicular pain afterward, a healthcare provider may recommend a procedure to reverse it. However, chronic testicular pain after a vasectomy is rare.

When to Reach Out to a Healthcare Provider

It’s normal to occasionally feel some discomfort near your groin. However, if the pain persists beyond a couple of hours, reach out to a healthcare provider for treatment. They can help you determine if it’s a bigger health issue or a more severe injury.

Where Can I Learn More About Treating Testicular Pain?

When you feel pain, it’s always important to treat your discomfort seriously, monitor it, and reach out to a healthcare provider. However, Rex MD knows it can be difficult to talk about anything having to do with the area around your penis.

If you have concerns about other health concerns affecting your sexual health, Rex MD can help. Rex MD provides quality treatment for erectile dysfunction, like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis).

Get started today by addressing any sexual health concerns you have with Rex MD.